Coca-Cola North America in Atlanta, Great Lakes Coca-Cola in Rosemont, Pepsico Inc. in Purchase, N.Y., and the Dr Pepper-Snapple Group PAC based in Plano, Texas, each contributed $22,200 to the fund. That’s the maximum amount state law allows each of them to give during the 2018 election cycle.

County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is planning to run for a final, third term next year, and the seats of all 17 board commissioners are on the ballot. Meanwhile, a board Finance Committee meeting to consider repeal of the tax has been scheduled for Oct. 10.

Last November, Preckwinkle broke an 8-8 tie to approve the penny-an-ounce tax on sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages. One commissioner was absent.

Money could flow into individual campaigns next year from interests on both sides of the issue. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a longtime advocate for the health benefits of cutting down on sugary drinks, has pledged to spend “whatever it takes” to support county officials who support the tax.

And the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association — allies of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association — recently formed Government Accountability PAC, an independent expenditure committee that plans to spend money to defeat backers of the tax. Contributions to that type of committee are not limited, but they can’t give directly to a candidate or coordinate efforts with individual campaign organizations.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg and the American Beverage Association are spending millions of dollars on competing TV ads in the run-up to the October meeting. (Hal Dardick)